Urine sampler



May 21, 1957- w. REYNOLDS, JR., ET AL 2,792,836

URINE SAMPLER Filed 00T.. 7. 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.. THHRMHN VK HORN MMM HTTURNEYS May 21, 1957 w. REYNOLDS, JR., ETAL 2,792,836

URINE SAMPLER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed OGLl '7, 1955 IN V EN TOR. WHL/(ER REYNOLDS, JR. THLIRMHN M. HORN I9 TTORNEYS United States Patent O URINE SAMPLER Walker Reynolds, Jr., and Thurman W. Horn, Anniston, Ala.

Application October 7, 1953, Serial No. 384,712

7 Claims. (Cl. 12S-275) This invention relates to a urine sampler and more specifically to apparatus for collecting and measuring accurately the amount of urine excreted by a patient during predetermined time intervals.

The prime object of our invention is to provide automatic means for collecting in separate urinals the urine excreted by a patient duringpredetermined time intervals, such as per hour, half hour or the like, thus effecting a` material saving in nursing time and insuring precision in collection.

Another object of our invention is to provide apparatus of the character designated which requires a minimum of `time to record the amount of urine collected during the time intervals thus assuring that accurate records are maintained.

A still further object of our invention is to provide apparatus of the character designated which shall be simple in construction, economical in manufacture, and one which is positive in operation.

As is well known in the art to which our invention relates, the quantity of urine excreted in twenty-four hours by a healthy adult, under ordinary circumstances, is between 1000 cc. and 1800 cc. may eliminate as little as cc. or as much as 1200 cc. of fluid per hour, depending uponthe requirement at the time. The amount of urine excreted per hour in a patient depends upon the blood pressure in the capillary loop of the kidneys in excess of the osmotic pressure of proteins in the blood. The blood pressure in the capillary loop is about 60% of the systolic aortic pressure from 70 to 80 mm. Hg and serves to drive the fluid across the glomerular membrane. When the blood pressure drops below this level as in the case of shock, there is a suppression of urine formation. Accordingly, the urine formation per hour is a good index as to the visceral or internal blood pressure of the patient. This is of particular importance in severe cases of trauma, such as occurs when a person is burned. Such cases of trauma may be followed by acute renal failure, causing lower nephron nephrosis as seen in the crush syndrome, traumatic shock and other conditions, all of which may lead to severe consequences or death.

If the intake of fluids and relectrolytes given a patient by mouth, or parenterally in the event the patient is critically ill, is weighed against the urinary output per hour, many cases of renal failure can be averted. For instance, an abnormal decrease in urine output `below 25 cc. per hour, indicates that the blood pressure is too low to bring about sufficient urinary output. Consequently, there should be an increase in the rate of fluid given until the hourly urine output is above 25 cc. per hour. On the other hand, if the hourly urine output exceeds 75 cc. per hour the fluid intake should be rel duced, the optimum level being approximately `5() cc. per hour.

Heretofore, difficulties have been encountered in the collection of urine at hourly intervals by hospital vsta-'its The normal kidney Y due to the shortage in technical help. Also, urine collections are time consuming and are often inaccurate due to the variations in times of collection. Furthermore, due to the time required to record the hourly urine collections, hospital staffs do not feel justified in studying the hourly urine output of patients other than the critically ill trauma cases.

In addition to the use of our apparatus for collecting the urine hourly in severe traumatic cases, we have found that the 24 hour total may be used as :an index of the daily fluid requirement of the patient. Also, it may be used to gauge the rate of administration of daily intravenous fluids by measuring the amount of urine excreted hourly while giving the fluids. Our improved apparatus is particularly adapted for use in research studies of shock, to determine the urinary output and response to parenteral uid therapy, including the varying response of different type fluids, such as blood, plasma, albumen, plasma volume expanders, saline and glucose in Water. It is also adapted for use in the study of urine excreted under different circumstances such as during surgery, immediately after surgery, and during the convalescent period following surgery. Furthermore, it is useful in the study of urinary volume changes and renal diseases, such as glomerulo-nephritis, nephrosis and arteriosclerotic kidney disease.

Briefly, our improved apparatus for collecting urine samples comprises a rotary turntable disposed to support a plurality of urinals spaced` at intervals thereon and substantially equidistant from the center thereof. Terminating above the turntable in position to discharge urine into a subjacent urinal is a urine supply conduit. The turntable is rotated at predetermined time intervals whereby the urinals are brought successively under the urine supply conduit.

Apparatus embodying features of our invention is shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application in which:

Fig. l is a sectional view of the apparatus taken generally along the line I-I of Fig.. 2;

Fig. 2 is a view taken along the line II--II of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus; and,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken along the line IV--IV of Fig. l.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of our invention. We show a table 1G having `mounted on the top thereof, by means of a support member 11, a vertically extending shaft: l2. Mounted for rotation at the upper end ofthe shaft 12 in a bearing 13 is a turntable 14. The turntable 14 is adapted for rotation through 360 and carries a plurality of clamp members 16 for holding the urinals indicated at 17. The urinals are preferably in the form of graduated beakers. The clamp members 16 are equally spaced around the turntable 14 and are substantially equidistant from the center thereof. While we show only eight clamping members for supporting the urinals 17, it will be apparent that any number of such clamping members may be employed, suchtas 12, 24 or the like.

Mounted at the center of the turntable by means of a Wingnut 18 is an adjustable circular panel member 19 which carries data, such as hours, to indicate the time at which the urine specimens in the adjacent urinal were taken. Mounted on the table 10V by means of -cap screws 21 is a supporting arm 22 carrying an ad justable bracket 23 which is held in place by a clamp member 25. Secured to the bracket 23 by means of a clamp 24 `is the discharge end of a catheter tube 26 which is positioned to` discharge the urine into the urinal 17- positioned therebeneath. The turntable 14 is of a height to position the upper portion of the urinals 17 ice . 3 substantially lower than the bed, thus permitting gravity flow of fluids to the urinal when the catheter tube is inserted in the patients urinary tract. Y

Mounted for rotation on the shaft 12 is a pulley 27 having an upwardly extending arm 28 secured thereto. Secured to the turntable 14 and projecting downwardly therefrom is an arm member 29. Connecting the upper end of the arm 2S and the lower end of the arm 29 is a tension spring 31.

Mounted on the table outwardly of the support bracket 11 is a synchronous constant speed motor unit 32 having a control switch 33. Operatively connected to the motor unit`32 and extending upwardly therefrom is a vertical shaft 34. Mounted rigidly on the shaft 34 is a relatively small pulley 36 and passing over the pulleys 36 and 27 is a drive belt 37. The ratio of `the pulleys 36 and 27 is such that upon each revolution of the pulley 36 the required tension is applied to the :spring 31. ySecured to the shaft 34 adjacent the upper end thereof is an abutment in the form of a collar 38 which is provided with an outwardly projecting detent 39. The motor unit 32 is so geared as to cause the shaft 34 and collar 38 to rotate one complete turn in one hour.

Pivotally mounted at the bottom of the turntable 14 by means of pins 41 are L-shaped stop brackets 42. There is a stop bracket 42 for each urinal and each bracket is so positioned beneath the turntable that it engages the collar 38 thereby positioning its associated urinal beneath the -discharge end of the catheter tube. Secured to the side -of each of the stop brackets 42 -is one end of a spring 43. The other ends of the springs 43 Iare anchored t-o lugs 44 which project downwardly from fthe bottom of the turntable 14. To hold the brackets 42 in position to engage vthe collar 38, stop members 46 are -secured to the turntable adjacent the spring 43, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

As Ithe `shaft 34 is rotated by the motor unit 32 the pulley 27 is turned by means of the pulley 36 and the drive belt 37. Due to the fact that the turntable 14 and its depending arm 29 lare held against rotation by the stop bracket 42, rotation of the pulley 27 causes Itension to be applied to the spring 31. At the end of one hour the shaft 34 completes one revolution and the detent 39 engages the adjacent stop bracket 42 and momentarily swings it outwardly against the resistance of the spring 43, thus permitting rotation of the turntable. As the turntable rotates, the next adjacent stop bracket 42 engages the collar 38 and prevents further rotation thereof. At this point the next urinal is positioned beneath the catheter tube. To start operation of the motor unit 32 after a predetermined lapse of time, a clock `47 containing a time switch is employed.

While we have shown the motor unit 32 4as rotating the -shaft 34 one complete turn in one hour, 4it maybe so geared as to rotate the shaft one complete -turn in onehalf hour, one-quarter hour or any fraction of |an hour, thus causing the urinals to be changed each half hour, quarter hour or other fraction of an hour. Also, the escapement means may be actuated each half hour while the shaft is rotating one c-omplete turn per hour, 'by providing another detent diametrically opposite the :detent 39. In like manner four -detents 39 may be provided to obtain one-quarter hour movement of the turntable.

From the foregoing description, the operation of our limproved .apparatus for collecting samples of urine will be readily understood. The urinals 17 are placed within the clamp members 16 andthe discharge `end 26 of the catheter tube is vpositioned so that it will dischargel fluid into the -stationary urinal therebeneath The motor unit 32 is started and fluid is discharged into the subjacent urinal for exactly one hour. The detent 39 is rthen momentarily swung to one side thus releasing the stop bracket 42. Due to tension built up on the spring31 patients body on a hospital I,

'by the partial rotation of pulley 27, the turntable is rotated until the next stop bracket 42 engages the collar 38. Where eight urinals yare employed, the turntable will thus move one-eighth of one turn at the end of each hour, then remain stationary until another hour has elapsed when the movement is repeated. In the preferred form we show eight urinals which number adapts the apparatus to use -in hospitals where nurses are on eight hour shifts.

From the foregoing it will be seen that we have devised improved apparatus for the collection and accurate measurement of the urine excreted by a patient over predetermined time intervals. By providing apparatus which operates automatically to position successive urinals beneath the catheter tube, the samples are collected over a period of time without consuming ythe time of the technical help in hospitals. Furthermore, by providing an apparatus which is simple to operate and one which requires la minimum `of time -to record the hourly urine collections, the hourly urine output of patients lother than just the critical cases may be studied.

While we have shown our invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is notso limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and we desir-e, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as lare specically set forth in the appended claims.

What we'claim is:

l. In apparatus for collecting samples of urine, a support member, a rotatable member mounted for rotation on said support member and disposed to support a plurality of removable urinals at angulary spaced intervals thereon, urine dischargemeans terminating adjacent said rotatable member in -position to discharge urine into an adjacent urinal, releasable stop means interposed between lthe support member and the rotatable member holding the urinals in succession at a position to receive the urine for `a predetermined time interval, and means rotating said rotatable member upon release of said stop means whereby the succeeding urinal is positioned beneath said urine discharge means. n

2. In apparatus for collecting samples of urine, a vertically extending shaft, a turntable mounted for rotation at the upper end of ysaid shaft and disposed to support a plurality of urinals spaced at intervals lthereon andsubstantially equidistant from the center thereof, urine discharge means terminating above said turntable 'in position to discharge urine into a subjacent urinal, stop members mounted on the turntable holding the urinals in succession at a position to receive the urine for a predetermined time interval, Iand means rotating the turntable upon release of the stop members whereby the succeeding urinal is positioned beneath said urine discharge means.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which the means 'rotating the -turntable comprises a spring operatively connecting the vertically extending shaft and the turntable a second vertically extending shaft, drive mechanism operatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the same, and a driving connection between said shafts.

4. Apparatus -as defined in claim 3 in which at least vone detent is provided adjacentV the upper end of the second mentioned shaft for releasing the stop members.

5. In apparatus for collecting samples of urine, a vertically extending shaft, la turntable mounted for rotation atl the upper end of said .shaft and disposed to support a plurality ofV urinals spaced at intervals thereon and substantially 'equidistant from the center thereof, urine discharge 'means terminating above said turntable in position to ldischarge urine intoa subjacent urinal, a second vertically extending shaft, drive mechanism Voperatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the same at a @onstaat Speedran ,abutment .at the upper `and gf. Sei@ second shaft, stop members mounted on the turntable in position to engage said abutment and hold the urinals in succession at a position to receive the urine `for a predetermined time interval, a detent carried by said abutment in position to release said stop members upon each complete revolution of said abutment, and means rotating said turnta'ble upon release of said stop members, whereby the succeeding urinal is positioned beneath the u-rine discharge means.

6. In apparatus for collecting samples of urine, ya vertically extending shaft, a turntable mounted for rotation at the upper end of said shaft, a plurality of urinal clamp members mounted at intervals on said turntable substantially equidistant from the center thereof and disposed to support urinals in upright position, urine dis charge means terminating above said turn-table in position to discharge urine into a subjacent urinal, ia second vertically extending shaft, drive mechanism operatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the same, an abutment adjacent the upper end 'of said second shaft, L-shlaped stop members mounted for pivotal movement at the bottom of the -turntable in position to engage said abutment and hold the urinals in succession at a position to receive the urine -for a predetermined time interval, a detent carried by said -abutment for releasing said stop members upon rotation of said second shaft, and means rotating the turntable upon release of the stop members, whereby the succeeding urina] is positioned beneath said urine discharge means,

7. In apparatus for collecting samples of urine, -a vertically extending shaft, a turntable mounted for rotation at the upper end of said shaft and disposed to support a plurality of urinals spaced at intervals thereon yand substantially equidistant from the center thereof, urine discharge means terminating above said turntable in position to discharge urine into a subjacent urinal, stop members mounted on the turntable holding the urinals in succession at a position to receive the urine for a predetermined time interval, a pulley mounted on said shaft, spring means connecting said pulley to said turntable, a second vertically extending shaft, drive mechanism operatively connected to said second Ishaft for rotating the same at a constant speed, a rela-tively small pulley mounted `rigidly on said second shaft, a `drive belt connecting said pulleys and means adjacent the top of said second sha-ft releasing the stop members upon rotation of said second shaft, whereby the succeeding urinal is positioned `beneath said urine `discharge means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 721,850 Wright Mar. 3, 1903 1,228,078 Truesdell May 29, 1917 FOREIGN PATENTS 218,695 Germany IFeb. 7, 1910 

